The New England Patriots made a surprising move on Monday, opting to waive quarterback Malik Cunningham just 10 days after signing him to the 53-man roster off the practice squad. 

And while there is no clear answer on why the Patriots made this move, here are some reasons why it does make sense:

Belichick was asked about the decision to sign Cunningham soon after signing him, and he stayed quiet, providing minimal information. 

“We had a lot of guys that were hurt," he said. 

His versatility as both a receiver and a quarterback made him a good candidate to fill in for some of the injured players. 

A team can only opt to elevate a player three times during the season, and this move could have been used as a way to allow him to be elevated later in the season. 

It's risky, but as they saw during the preseason, despite his strong performance, no team decided to sign him off waivers after the Patriots released him on cutdown day. Because of that they were able to sign him to the practice squad. 

He also sat on the Patriots practice squad for the first five weeks of the season, where any team can sign him to their 53-man roster. 

So, with no team showing interest the first time, there is a possibility that they imagine it working another time. The most likely outcome of all of this is that he re-signs with New England on the practice squad. 

But anything is possible and another team could look to add him. 

Here are what other reporters are saying: 

ESPN's Mike Reiss

Thoughts on Patriots waiving QB/WR Malik Cunningham:

? A spot likely waiting for him on practice squad if he clears waivers

? Could have protected him from waivers by elevating him from p-squad on Oct. 14 instead of signing him to roster…but injuries forced hand to a degree

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) October 24, 2023

The Boston Globe's Doug Kyed

The Patriots have had to make some tough roster decisions due to injuries/activations. Malik Cunningham being waived is nothing more than that. I'd expect him back on the practice squad if he clears.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 24, 2023

And one other note: If the Patriots had elevated Malik Cunningham from the practice squad against the Raiders, then they could not have used the emergency third QB rule. So, in order to make Malik the backup and Zappe the emergency third QB, they had to sign him to the 53.

— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 24, 2023

The Boston Globe's Christopher Price 

League source tells me a return for Malik Cunningham via the practice squad is “likely.”

— Christopher Price (@cpriceglobe) October 24, 2023

NESN's Zack Cox 

Possible for either or both players to land back on the practice squad. Cunningham needs to clear waivers; Flowers does not.

— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 24, 2023

Patriots waive Malik Cunningham following big Mac Jones performance

The situation continues to get weirder.